Sex killer Graham Coutts is to appeal against both his conviction for murdering Brighton teacher Jane Longhurst and his life sentence.

Judge Richard Brown ordered Coutts, a 35-year-old guitarist and part-time salesman, of Waterloo Street, Hove, should serve at least 30 years after he was found guilty of strangling Miss Longhurst.

Last month's verdict came after a four-week trial at Lewes Crown Court.

The jury heard Coutts strangled Miss Longhurst, 31, at his home and hid her body for three weeks before burning it in woodland near Pulborough.

The jury was told Coutts, who regularly downloaded pictures of strangulation sex, killed her to satisfy his perverted sexual fantasies.

Miss Longhurst, of Shaftesbury Road, Brighton, was a teacher at Uplands School for children with learning difficulties in Hollingdean.

Coutts' solicitors, Harris Paley, of St George's Place, Brighton, confirmed that an appeal had been lodged.

Throughout the trial Coutts maintained Miss Longhurst's death was an accident during consensual strangulation sex. It is believed this will form the basis of the appeal.

Malcolm Sentance, Miss Longhurst's partner, said police had warned her family of the possibility of the case being brought back before appeal judges.

Mr Sentance, 35, said: "We are convinced it will be thrown out.

"Justice was done on that day at Lewes Crown Court and we hope it will stand when the case goes before the appeal judges."